Premier League and EFL games postponed after death of Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth II, and U.S. President Barack Obama attend a state banquet in Buckingham Palace, London, May 24, 2011. (AP Photo/Lewis Whyld, Pool, File)

Update...

The Premier League on Friday issued a statement confirming that all scheduled fixtures this weekend are to be postponed and rescheduled for a later date following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The longest-reigning monarch that Britain has ever known, Elizabeth died Thursday at 96 at Balmoral Castle, her beloved summer home in Scotland, after having steadied and modernized the royal institution through seven decades of huge social change.

The nation will begin 10 days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II and as a result weekend football matches will be rescheduled.

Sporting events and matches have already been cancelled or suspended in golf, rugby and cricket among others.

A statement from the league's official website read: "At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend's Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening's game."

Richard Masters, the Premier League's Chief Executive, said: "We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty's long and unwavering service to our country. As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.

"This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing."

The English Football League (EFL) has also announced that the matches between Newly relegated Burnley vs Norwich and Tranmere vs Stockport have been postponed.

Two matches were scheduled to be played on Friday and will now be rescheduled to an unknown date yet.

"As a mark of respect, following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II earlier today, the EFL has confirmed that its fixtures scheduled for tomorrow evening (Friday 9 September) - Burnley v Norwich City and Tranmere Rovers v Stockport County - have been postponed," the statement from EFL read.

It added that the rest of this weekend's fixtures will be decided on "following a review of the official mourning guidance, in addition to further consultation with DCMS and other sports on Friday morning."

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